The St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra came together in July 1999 and after three (3) months of practicing began performing at various venues. This group emerged from the program "Pan in The Community", and is now the main focus of the organization, "Pan in the Community,Inc." a 501 (C) (3) non profit organization. This program uses the medium of the steeldrums to re-direct the young people of our community into positive social and behavioral ideals.
The majority of our members are presently in college. This has resulted in our present search for new players. Our performing group is smaller than usual but sufficient enough to continue the high standard that we are known for. Where the band has lost some of its members, there are new members waiting to become part of the band, having graduated from the “Learn to play steel drums program”, which takes place on Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center, 1100 E. Fayette Street, or at 3907 Hamilton Ave on Mondays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Our members have developed tremendously over the years. Their grades in school are high, their behavior, discipline, dedication, and love for what they do, and their oneness as a team or unit, can be seen in their performances and in their professional approach.
All types of music are played, comprising Gospel, Hip Hop, R&B, Reggae, Soca, Classical and a wide Christmas selection. To date we have produced four (4) CDs and one (1) DVD. The CDs are, “Breaking out in Steel”, “In the Mood”, “Concert in Steel” and “St. Veronicas Live”. The DVD shows our performance in concert and also carries the title "St. Veronicas Live". Our music is presently arranged by Wentworth Richardson.
The band has performed throughout the Baltimore-Washington DC Metropolitan region. Other states where performances have taken place are: Virginia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Miami, Florida, New Jersey, Delaware, and New York. They have visited Trinidad and Tobago three times to date performing with Skiffle Bunch, Trinidad All Stars, Pamberi, and Southern Marines Steel band. They performed in concert with Southern Marines in Marabella, Trinidad. A newspaper review on the concert in the Trinidad Express newspaper, written by Keino Swamber read, “ US steel band impresses”. They also visited and were interviewed on Trinidad and Tobago Television, Radio 98.9FM, and in the Trinidad Express newspaper.
St. Veronicas Youth Steel Orchestra has performed at various conventions and activities such as the: NAACP, Kuntu Kinte Festival, Walk America, People’s Expo, Stone Soul Picnic, Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Parade, Library of Congress, World Bank in Washington, D .C., Associated Black Charities, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, African Heritage Festival, Beans & Bread Christmas Fund Raising Concert, First Night Dover in Delaware, New Year’s Eve, First Night in Williamsburg, New Year's Eve, the Diabetes Association, Baltimore City Community College, the Cancer Society, Baltimore Office of Promotions, Catholic Charities, International Festival, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, and continue to perform at the Amphitheater, Baltimore Inner Harbor for the past four years from April to September. We continue to provide sweet music to churches, proms, weddings, cook outs, birthday parties, and formal occassions when required.
The major goals for the group is to obtain transportation (truck & van), and to introduce and prepare new members.
Friends and well wishers are welcome to make donations so that these activities could continue to materialize.
Current Band Members |
|
| Antoinette | Tenor |
| Tenor | |
| Ashley | Tenor, Double Second |
| Tenor | |
| Ayanna | Tenor |
| Jordan | Tenor |
| Sade | Double Tenor |
| Kamesha | Double Tenor |
| Elan | Double Tenor |
| Jamila | Double Tenor |
| Kish | Double Second, Low Bass |
| Gregory | Low Bass, Percussion |
| Arnette | Percussion |
| Jonathan | Percussion |
| Donnel | Tenor Bass |
| Marcus | Tenor Bass |
| Carol Fields | Four Cello |
| Cordeaire | Triple Cello |
A special THANK YOU to the alumni who have made STVYSO the outstanding band they are.